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The Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) is a specialized high school program that allows students to earn their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and focus their learning on a specific economic sector. In this program students can graduate from high school with specialized skills, knowledge and certifications relevant to their chosen industry and earn an specialist SHSM seal on their high school diploma.
FOR SHSM PROGRAM INFORMATION CONTACT
FOR SHSM PROGRAM INFORMATION CONTACT
Jaclyn Canas - SHSM Lead Coordinator
Head of Arts & Technology Department
Graphic Design & Photography Teacher
Elizabeth Rusch - Head of Student Services Department and Co-op
Students who wish to enroll in a SHSM program can do so through this SHSM Supplementary Option Sheet.
Students who wish to enroll in a SHSM program can do so through this SHSM Supplementary Option Sheet.
Please contact your Guidance Counsellor for help with registration.
Please contact your Guidance Counsellor for help with registration.
THE PROGRAM
THE PROGRAM
The Merivale Communication and Design SHSM program is your launchpad into the creative industry. Go beyond a typical art class and build a professional, diverse portfolio. Students explore traditional art mediums of painting, drawing, and photography while diving into in-demand digital tools for animation, video production, and graphic design. Students learn to create artwork that is driven by client and consumer needs. This specialized program enhances your art and design education with additional field trips, workshops, and industry certifications with design professionals, preparing you for Communication and Design post-secondary programs in interactive media, graphic design, photography, video production, animation, illustration, web design, mobile application and a future in the creative world.
THE BENEFITS OF SHSM
THE BENEFITS OF SHSM
Pursuing a SHSM can help students:
Student receive specialized training in design skills and software
Participate in reach ahead and experiential learning activities with industry partners
Gain sector-recognized certifications at no cost that look great on a resume
Experience a co op placement in the design industry of your choice
Build a portfolio you can use to apply to post-secondary programs.
Make informed decisions about future pathways
Receive recognition for your accomplishments with a special diploma
Scholarships and bursaries available for SHSM graduates
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
To be eligible for the special OSSD SHSM Diploma, students must complete the following requirements over the course of their grade 11 and 12 school year.
SELECT 4 OF THE FOLLOWING SHSM MAJOR COURSES:
Click the links below to learn more details about these course options.
AWE3O & AWE4M
TGJ3M & TGJ4M
AWQ3O & AWQ4M
AVI3M & AVI4M
2. COMPLETE 2 SUPPORTING COURSES - a senior English credit and a senior Canadian World Studies course. There are many course options for this CWS course requirement such as Business, Canadian Law, Canadian History, World Issues, Challenge and Change, etc...speak to your guidance counselor for the full list of options.
3. TWO CREDITS OF CO-OP IN AN ART & DESIGN SECTOR
The SHSM Co-op bridges the gap between school and the professional world by placing students directly into an art and design workplace of their choosing. Instead of just studying theory, students get to "test-drive" their future career by working alongside and shadowing industry professionals. This hands-on environment allows students to take the design and communication skills they’ve built in the classroom and apply them to real-world projects. Ultimately, this experience helps students refine their craft while confirming if their chosen pathway is the right fit for them before they graduate.
Co-op students attend a work placement in the afternoon every second day during the school year. Options for virtual co-op and summer co-op are also available.
Check out some of our shsm students co-op placements.
4. Additional Requirements include the complaition of the following:
6 Certifications
6 Certifications
These certifications and training are recognized by the design sector and include first aid, CPR and WHMIS. Other certifications include training in software, art techniques, and more.
Reach Ahead
Reach Ahead
Immersive opportunities for students to explore industry pathways by participating in site visits, post secondary program presentations, guest speakers and more.
Experiential Learning
Experiential Learning
Hands-on activities and workshops that allow students to observe, participate in, and reflect on real-world work experiences in a professional sector.
The communication and design industry is in high demand across Canada
The communication and design industry is in high demand across Canada
According to a 2025 article, "2025 Canada Job Market: Marketing and Creative Hiring Trends," the communication and design industry is in high demand across Canada due to rapid digital transformation, a need for branding, and growth in tech, gaming, and marketing sectors. Key areas like User Experience (UX) design, UI design, and visual design are particularly sought after, with 76% of hiring leaders increasing contract talent in late 2025.
According to a 2025 article, "2025 Canada Job Market: Marketing and Creative Hiring Trends," the communication and design industry is in high demand across Canada due to rapid digital transformation, a need for branding, and growth in tech, gaming, and marketing sectors. Key areas like User Experience (UX) design, UI design, and visual design are particularly sought after, with 76% of hiring leaders increasing contract talent in late 2025.
Communication and Design Careers
Communication and Design Careers
Communication and design prepares students to enter a growing industry of careers. Below is a list of some of the current careers within the Communication and Design industry:
Communication and design prepares students to enter a growing industry of careers. Below is a list of some of the current careers within the Communication and Design industry:
Graphic Designer: Creates visual concepts using computer software or by hand to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, or captivate consumers, for both print and digital media.
Web/Interactive Designer: Designs layouts, visual appearance, and usability for websites and mobile applications.
User Experience (UX) / User Interface (UI) Designer: Focuses on optimizing the usability and accessibility of digital products and creating intuitive, visually appealing interfaces.
Art Director/Creative Director: Oversees the entire visual style and images in magazines, product packaging, or film/television productions, leading a team of designers and artists.
Multimedia/Motion Designer: Creates animated graphics, special effects, and videos for various media platforms, including films, advertisements, and social media.
Illustrator/Animator: Creates original drawings, sketches, or digital animations for use in publications, advertisements, or entertainment.
Packaging Designer: Designs the functional and visually appealing containers and labels for commercial products.
Social Media Manager/Specialist: Manages a brand's presence across social media platforms, creates content, analyzes trends, and engages with the online community.
Content Strategist/Developer: Plans, creates, and manages digital content to meet specific user needs and business objectives.
Marketing Communications Specialist/Manager: Focuses on creating and implementing strategies for promoting products, services, or ideas to target audiences.
Media Planner: Analyzes consumer demographics and media consumption habits to determine the best platforms and strategies for advertising campaigns.
Film and Video: Professionals who use cinematic storytelling and technical editing to transform narrative concepts into engaging visual experiences for digital and broadcast platforms.
Photographers: Visual storytellers who capture and manipulate high-quality imagery to communicate specific messages, evoke emotion, or document products and events.
Game and App Design: Creators who combine user-interface (UI) logic with interactive aesthetics to build functional, immersive digital environments and mobile applications.
Interior Designers and Interior Decorators: Experts who plan and style physical environments to optimize functionality, safety, and visual appeal while maintaining a cohesive brand or personal identity.
Fashion and Other Creative Designers: Innovators who apply creative problem-solving and technical craftsmanship to develop wearable products and unique aesthetic goods that define style and cultural trends.
Industrial Design: Strategic problem-solvers who combine art, engineering, and business to develop the concepts, functionality, and physical form of manufactured products, ensuring they are user-friendly, brand-consistent, and optimized for production.
We live in a visual age, as a result the design industry continues to grow.
We live in a visual age, as a result the design industry continues to grow.
In her article, "How Industry is Influenced by Art and Design," Jenifer Wood points out how some of the biggest corporations are placing major importance on the design of their products, whether it be a major technology company or a producer of household cleaning products. "From vacuum cleaners to trash cans, “design” is no longer optional; it’s a necessary phase of development in order for a company to remain relevant and competitive in today’s business landscape. The word itself has evolved from a verb to a way of life for executives in every industry." (Wood, 2015)
In her article, "How Industry is Influenced by Art and Design," Jenifer Wood points out how some of the biggest corporations are placing major importance on the design of their products, whether it be a major technology company or a producer of household cleaning products. "From vacuum cleaners to trash cans, “design” is no longer optional; it’s a necessary phase of development in order for a company to remain relevant and competitive in today’s business landscape. The word itself has evolved from a verb to a way of life for executives in every industry." (Wood, 2015)
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